Gutters are easy to ignore until they overflow. In Chicagoland and Southeast Wisconsin, gutters deal with heavy spring storms, fall leaves, snow and ice. Picking the right size makes a real difference. The most common question we get: should I go with 5-inch or 6-inch seamless gutters?
Here is a simple guide from the team at Mr. Roof & Remodeling, based on the homes we work on every week.
What are seamless gutters?
Traditional sectional gutters come in short pieces joined together. Every joint is a spot that can leak, sag or collect debris over time.
Seamless gutters are made from one continuous piece of aluminum for each run of the house. We form them on site, right at your home, with a gutter machine that shapes them from a coil of aluminum to the exact length needed. Joints only appear at corners and downspout outlets.
- Fewer joints mean fewer leaks.
- Cleaner look, with no seams every few feet.
- Custom length for every run of your home.
5-inch vs 6-inch gutters: the difference
The number refers to the width of the top opening of a K-style gutter. One inch sounds small, but a 6-inch gutter holds and moves noticeably more water than a 5-inch gutter.
5-inch gutters work well for:
- Typical single-family homes with average roof size
- Roofs with a normal or low pitch
- Homes with shorter gutter runs and enough downspouts
6-inch gutters are a better choice for:
- Larger roofs or roof sections that drain into one gutter
- Steep roofs, where rain comes off fast and can shoot over a small gutter
- Long gutter runs with few places to add downspouts
- Homes with many trees, where leaves and seeds slow down drainage
- Homes that already had overflowing gutters in heavy storms
Don’t forget the downspouts
A big gutter with a small downspout is still a bottleneck. We install 3×4-inch downspouts, which move much more water than older 2×3 downspouts and clog less often with leaves. Downspouts should carry water away from the foundation, so your basement stays dry.
Gutter guards: worth it in the Midwest?
If your home is surrounded by oaks, maples or pine trees, you know how fast gutters fill up in the fall. Gutter guards cover the gutter and keep leaves and debris out while letting water in.
- Less cleaning and fewer trips up a ladder
- Fewer clogs that cause overflow during storms
- Less standing debris that can hold water and freeze in winter
Guards still need an occasional check, but for tree-heavy lots they are usually a smart addition. We usually install gutter guards together with new gutters, and in some cases we can add them to existing gutters that are still in good shape.
Gutters and Chicago winters
Snow and ice are hard on gutters. A properly sized, well-secured seamless gutter with good slope toward the downspouts drains faster and handles winter loads better.
One important note: gutters do not cause ice dams. Ice dams form when heat escapes through the roof, melts snow, and the water refreezes at the cold roof edge. The fix is usually better attic insulation and ventilation. If you see icicles and ice buildup every winter, it is worth having your roof checked. Learn more on our roofing page or about roof repair in Chicago.
Signs it is time for new gutters
- Water spills over the edge during normal rain
- Gutters sag or pull away from the fascia
- Leaks at joints and corners
- Peeling paint, stains or rot on the fascia board
- Water pooling near the foundation or a wet basement
Replacing a roof? It is often the best time to install new gutters, so both are done together and fit properly.
Frequently asked questions
Do you repair gutters?
No. We focus on new seamless gutter installation and full gutter replacement, including downspouts and gutter guards.
What material do you use?
We install seamless aluminum gutters in 5-inch and 6-inch sizes, with 3×4 downspouts.
Where do you install gutters?
Across Chicago and the suburbs, including Wheeling, Arlington Heights, Palatine, Mount Prospect, Glenview, Des Plaines and Northbrook, and in Southeast Wisconsin, including Milwaukee, Kenosha and Racine. See all our service areas.
Get a free gutter estimate
Not sure if your home needs 5-inch or 6-inch gutters? We will measure your roof, look at your trees and drainage, and recommend the right size. See our gutter installation page, call (877) 408-5405 or request a free quote.